Village Giving Circle at Dallas Women's Foundation
The Village Giving Circle Founding Members

The Village Giving Circle at Dallas Women’s Foundation, which started this spring, has presented its first grants to organizations and initiatives that positively impact the African-American community in North Texas. At a reception at Hotel ZaZa on November 4, the group gave grants to nine nonprofits totaling $122,000.

The grants included the following:

The Family Place: $25,000

Big Thought: $20,000

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas: $20,000

Paul Quinn College: $20,000

City Square: $10,000

The Compelling Why: $10,000

Accion, Inc.: $7,000

Dallas Black Dance Theatre: $5,000

New Friends New Life: $5,000

A. Shonn Brown and Lisa Montgomery serve as co-chairs of The Village Giving Circle. Additional founding officers include Cheryl Alston, Christa Brown-Sanford, Annika Cail, Frances Cudjoe-Waters, Vera Ingram and Diane Reeves. Brown is chair-elect of Dallas Women’s Foundation’s board of directors, and Montgomery, Alston and Reeves are board members. A complete list of founding members of The Village is on the website.

Brown said, “I am just blown away by the generosity of everyone. In less than a year, our group has raised $122,000, researched the organizations, and is now giving these grants to strengthen the work they’re doing for the African-American community.”

The mission of The Village Giving Circle is to honor, sustain and expand the legacy of African-American women’s philanthropy by funding organizations and initiatives that positively impact the African-American community in North Texas. Members focus their collective resources on local community organizations that are led by African Americans and/or serve the needs of the African-American community throughout North Texas. In addition to providing financial support to selected organizations, The Village membership seeks to elevate awareness of issues, initiatives and efforts that affect or support African-Americans living and working in North Texas.

Shawn Wills, Dallas Women’s Foundation senior vice president – development, said, “Giving circles are growing in popularity as a means for individuals with shared interests or cultures to combine their resources in order to make a larger impact on issues and organizations impacting their interests or cultures. We applaud the efforts of The Village Giving Circle and the amazing success and momentum they’ve achieved in their first year.”

Montgomery added, “In addition to raising funds for organizations, we also hold social and networking events, as well as offer educational opportunities focused on philanthropy and social issues. We invite those interested in The Village Giving Circle to contact us.”

Dallas Women’s Foundation is the largest regional women’s fund in the world. It is a trusted leader in advancing positive social and economic change for women and girls. The Foundation was built on the belief that when you invest in a woman, there is a ripple effect that benefits her family, her community and her world. Dallas Women’s Foundation has researched, funded and demonstrated the ripple effect since 1985 in North Texas, granting more than $42.2 million since inception and over $4.6 million annually to help create opportunities and solve issues for women and girls. With the support of its donors, the Foundation unlocks resources to improve education and quality of life, give voice to issues affecting women and girls, and cultivate women leaders for the future. For more information, visit www.DallasWomensFdn.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

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Texas Women's Foundation

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Texas Women’s Foundation, formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation, is investing to Transform Texas for Women and Girls, empowering them to build stronger, more equitable communities throughout Texas. One of the world’s largest women’s funds, it is a trusted leader in advocating for and advancing economic security for Texas women, girls and families, and ensuring women and girls are enabled and supported in taking leadership roles in every sector in the state. With more than $35 million in assets, Texas Women’s Foundation raises approximately $8 million a year to underwrite groundbreaking statewide research on issues affecting women and girls – providing decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs in the state. Funds also sustain the Foundation’s $5 million in annual grants, mission-focused gendered asset investments, and support for innovative programs and solutions to help Texas women and girls thrive. For more information, visit www.txwf.org.